The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-04-17
"THE DUKES REVENGE.'
BY FANNY FOSTER CLARK.
Copyrighted, 1888; J

Copyrighted, 1851
W ell. vino is - Pennington, the great
New York publisher, asked of mis- clerk as |
stood for the first time on theNhreshold of
the sanctum The clerk, not knowing that
had followed close upon his heels from the
outer Office replied: "A very slim young
man with very stout manuscript"
Hardly relishing this pithy sarcasm, l
scowled at the fellow, who was pale, dark,
and had disagreeable, interpretive man
ner. Then / stepped up briskly to the pub
lisher's desk, and laying down parcel, said:
This is the first part of a historical TO
nance, The Dukes Revenge"
Mr.. Pennington was bald mah. 1t
amused me to trace the line at which his
wrinkled forehead ended and the shiny
smoothness began. 1t amused me, also, to
see a teaspoon and sundry bottles of dyspepsia
remedies on his desk. He touched the manu-
script nervously, made deep burrows of dis
tress all across that seamy forehead and in
beseeching, fretfih tone said:
REALLY, IA don't know what to-what
to do with it.n
s'Read it and then publish it," answered
promptly and cheerfully
Mr. Pennington looked thoroughly miser-
able IS indicating the unpleasant familiar he
saidI THE reading is done by Mr.. Bell, y
ana then put the manuscript into his hands
But, really, young man, he continued, ''you
Ought to be at better work than bookmaking.
y It's vice.
Laughing outright. 1 said: Somebody
has TO write 'eIn."
s'But everybody writes 'emn said Pen
nington, that's the trouble. How old are
your
twenty-five. Name, Nelson Floyd
''Pity!' he exclaimed softly; and gave
nod in my direction and went on with his
letter writing. Taking this for publishers
polite dismissal, ! walked out. Passing Bell
at his desk / scowled at his back cranial de
velopment and noted that it was particularly
faulty.
Ned Russell my chum, admirer and good
friend, was waiting on the stairs Ned was
~ had very small means and very large
faculty for friendship. On my arrival in
New York, just year before, fresh from
college, he had heartily supported me in the
opinion that book-a great book, "a
stunning book, as he phrased it, would be
my only fit introduction to fame and fortune.
Ned had smoked away many hours beside
my desk in reverential silence, and his opin-
ions were certainly delightful What came
short of impreSSing him as wonderful or
dramatic and deucedly touching made him
shake his head, look very solemn, take ont
his pipe and ejaeulate: deep, by Georgel
Nelse, that's deep-pro-found."
Well there outside stood Ned, all excite
ment, hope and fidelity. l told him of the
fdgety, uncomfortable publisher, and then |
described Bell the clerk, his averted eyes
and dark face Ned's own frank countenance
flushed with interest and anxiety, and he
formed a conclusion at once.
THAT fellows a sneak-a sneak and a
scamp. Look out for him, old chappy. Now
strike while the irons hot and polish Off the
second volr Ned had mercantile fashion
of using authorizations. IN sit by he adj
ded cheerfully, while You twistify that
political plot and bring the Cardinal up with
a round turn III the end"
Sit by he did, every evening, in a sort of
enthusiastic hush, and at last, after six
weeks, he could exclaim, throwing up his
hat and deity catching it: ''Vol. two done.
HuITah." Ned insisted upon carrying the
precious parcel in his own hands, only de
liyering il over 70 me at the threshold of
Penningtons outer Office. As passed Bell
his head was leaning on his hand, and
hardly CHANGING up, he made me what Ned.
observing from the hallway, designated as a
1sneaking, hang-dog sort of a bow"
"The second volume of The Dukes Re-
venge,'" said 10 Mr.. Pennington, holding
out the bulky roll.
His forehead amused me more than ever.
It wrinkled up like a piece of Grape as he
Sfamnlefeu:
ssYe-ye-yes, but-you see, the first part
has been read and it's of no use-no use at
all. III try to tell you why. Many faults
In writing NAV be, under proper criticism,
quickly atoned but your work is crude. and
crudity can be overcome only by y&ars OF
hard experience. Here, Bell, bring that
first part" Bel came softly and laid the
first inssallmeut of manuscript on the desk
beside the second. "Nou can't understand
mo Pennington went on, looking the pic
ture Of woe, because and he drew deep
Sigh, because you are crude, too" and lac
hdded deliberately, with marked emphasis,
"A very crude young man.
''Then there's no chance for the
bookf asked, trying 70 keep a steady
voice.
He glauced up. must have looked very
bovish for | was beardleSs and slim. and
had mobile, eager face He slowly shook
his head.
Just then saw there was another person
IN the room, a young girl schoolgirl, she
seemed, with long braids Of fair hair hang
ing 10 her waist and "a childish
face with childish blue ewes.
With that second self. that other conscious
ness which can be- busy over trihes when the
everyday faculties are absorbed by some
great perplexity, took note OF her while l
asked Of Mr. Pennington:
Wont you give my book your personal
nttentionP
Bless me.v Pennington exclaimed. fresh
ruing up with surprise. why you-yOu
cem 70 know nothing about tho rule- oi
publishing houses"
well, n I urged with emphasis, ~ am sure
The wolk only Deesis fair aud impartial con.
sidwufioH'
"Oh. answered tie pulAislor "you think
llle people who risk their money in putting
ouf hos.ks gfe governed ~ iuuunl iftlu.
0leef Ate, fil Tpaug wfltem tllluk ~. ~
sla.ael .oa g.f est0Elta AUD pfyie4 ti.at